Proverbs 15:11-21

11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more ¹the hearts of the children of man!

12 ²A scoffer ³does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

13 ⁴A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by ⁵sorrow of heart the spirit is ⁶crushed.

14 ⁷The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but ⁸the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

16 ⁹Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.

17 ¹⁰Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than ¹¹a fattened ox and hatred with it.

18 ¹²A hot-tempered man ¹³stirs up strife, but he who is ¹⁴slow to anger quiets contention.

19 The way of ¹⁵a sluggard is like a hedge of ¹⁶thorns, but the path of the upright is ¹⁷a level highway.

20 ¹⁸A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 ¹⁹Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding ²⁰walks straight ahead.

Proverbs 15:11-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 5

This chapter relates Solomon's preparation for building the temple: on Hiram, king of Tyre, sending a congratulatory letter to him, he returned another to him, signifying his intention to build an house for God, and requesting him to supply him with timber, and men to work it, 1Ki 5:1-6; to which Hiram readily agreed, and sent him cedar and fir, and Solomon in return sent him food for his household; and things went on very amicably between them, 1Ki 5:7-12; the chapter concludes with an account of Solomon's workmen, where, how, and in what they were employed, 1Ki 5:13-18.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Chronicles 6:30; Psalms 44:21; John 2:24; See 1 Samuel 16:7
• 2. See Psalms 1:1
• 3. Amos 5:10
• 4. [ver. 15; Proverbs 17:22]
• 5. See Proverbs 12:25
• 6. Proverbs 18:14
• 7. Proverbs 14:6; Proverbs 19:24
• 8. ver. 13
• 9. Proverbs 16:8; Psalms 37:16; [1 Timothy 6:6]
• 10. Proverbs 17:1
• 11. [Matthew 22:4; Luke 15:23]
• 12. Proverbs 29:22; [Proverbs 16:28; Proverbs 26:21]
• 13. Proverbs 28:25
• 14. See Proverbs 14:29
• 15. Proverbs 19:24; Proverbs 22:13
• 16. Proverbs 22:5
• 17. Jeremiah 18:15
• 18. See Proverbs 29:3
• 19. Proverbs 10:23
• 20. [Ephesians 5:15]